Jump to content

First clock repair...How do I open it?

ftwizard

By ftwizard
in All Things Clocks

 Share

Recommended Posts

ftwizard WRT Addict

ftwizard

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Okay, I’ve sussed that. Looks like a balance spring problem. Any advice on stripping this thing down?IMG_2359.JPG


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

oldhippy Distinguished Member

oldhippy

Posted
Posted

You now need to remove it from the case. That inside ring should just pull our, unscrew the feet and the top and push from the front. Once removed can you show me a photo around the spring to include the click, as some of these types do not have a normal click spring and click.

oldhippy Distinguished Member

oldhippy

Posted
Posted

That is just what I expected to see. You cannot un-wind the springs in these movements. If you try and lift that circle shape which is the click, you will distort it and it will not wind up. Can you un pin the balance and take it out and show me please. It looks like the h/spring is damaged, if that is it is you might be able to repair in, oil the movement and see how it goes.

ftwizard WRT Addict

ftwizard

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Yes, I need a picture of a good balance spring.
If I could get the face off, I would just dunk it in cleaner and oil it as is. How does the face come off?IMG_2377.JPGIMG_2378.JPGIMG_2379.JPGIMG_2362.JPG


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

ftwizard WRT Addict

ftwizard

Posted
  • Author
Posted
  On 6/30/2018 at 2:47 PM, Lenj said:

Hi you need to take the hand off first to get the face off, have you got a hand puller??

Expand  

I use levers, but I wasn't sure if that one just pulled off.

The face seems to be fixed to the backplate, somewhere near the twelve o'clock area.

oldhippy Distinguished Member

oldhippy

Posted
Posted

Don't remove that hand. That is the alarm hand, it is fixed to the alarm wheel behind the dial. The movement should come away by ether pins or screws or both. Depending on your skills that h/spring can be sorted.

  • Thanks 1
ftwizard WRT Addict

ftwizard

Posted
  • Author
Posted
  On 6/30/2018 at 4:13 PM, oldhippy said:

Don't remove that hand. That is the alarm hand, it is fixed to the alarm wheel behind the dial. The movement should come away by ether pins or screws or both. Depending on your skills that h/spring can be sorted.

Expand  

Thanks. That's what I thought about the alarm hand. I just can't see how the face is fitted to the backplate. I can't see any screws or pins. 

The dial is free all the way round, except for a point in the twelve o'clock position, midway between the centre and the edge of the face. Could it just be double sided tape or something? although, it doesn't feel like it.

I can sort the spring out, no problem. I've found a picture of how it should look.

ftwizard WRT Addict

ftwizard

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)
  On 6/30/2018 at 5:59 PM, oldhippy said:

Yes it would.

Expand  

Do you think I can separate the two parts without stripping the top half first?

If I run the springs down, how would I go about removing them and re-installing after cleaning?

Edited by ftwizard
oldhippy Distinguished Member

oldhippy

Posted
Posted

 

I do not recommend this. You could undo the plates by a little and remove the pallets. Make sure to add oil to all parts that will run. Be very careful not to bend any pivots (its soft metal) the train will run down, you can put a finger on the train to ease the run down. When it is down you can take it apart and clean. You should be able to remove both springs from there arbors. Take note of how and where the springs are attached, they should be open loop and attached to the pillars. When putting it back together make sure, the springs are attached to their arbors. So the movement is together and tightened down, wind the springs up and as you go you should be able to attach the open part of the spring over their proper pillars.

 

  • Thanks 1
oldhippy Distinguished Member

oldhippy

Posted
Posted

Pick a spot where to start, the higest part,

Take note of how and where the springs are attached, they should be open loop and attached to the pillars. When putting it back together make sure, the springs are attached to their arbors. So the movement is together and tightened down, wind the springs up and as you go you should be able to attach the open part of the spring over their proper pillars.

You will just have move the parts into their holes. You can screw down the nuts a little by little, to hold things in place, not to tight or you could damage pivots.

  • Thanks 1
ftwizard WRT Addict

ftwizard

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

Thanks for everyone's help, especially oldhippy. I managed to get it all back together again. Manipulated the balance spring back into some kind of spring shape, and it's running very nice now.

Most important, I learnt a lot for the next one.

Edited by ftwizard
  • Like 2

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • LittleWatchShop
      Bezel for 1954 Rolex 6581 Oyster Perpetual

      By LittleWatchShop · Posted

      As I am getting close, I would like to know the total thickness of the bezel (top to bottom).  I am working on two solutions--one is thinner than the other.  The crystal sits pretty proud relative to the bezel, and seems consistent with the pictures I have seen.  But, actual measurements would be nice.
    • JohnR725
      I haven’t seen glue here before…

      By JohnR725 · Posted

      A little bit of superglue and you'll be good to go Although maybe if you had a laser welder you can weld the spring back together. Typically I've only seen it on blued steel Springs and on one occasion a modern spring? The modern watch was a Rolex watch that came and that was literally filled with rust including the barrel was filled with rust in the spring was in a whole bunch of little pieces. I have to wonder if that was an aftermarket mainspring . Then I'm attaching a PDF the Elgin watch company as you can see instigated a study in the 30s find out why mainsprings were breaking. I do though wonder if perhaps there may be a flaw in their study? One other things I wonder about is the metallurgy of the early steel Springs versus the later generation of blued steel Springs whether the metallurgy as part of the problem but in a case they did a study and have attaching a PDF. Because of the study any time I do anything with the blued steel spring when I actually cannot get something that's not blued. Once the spring is cleaned I'm very careful to not to touch the spring with my fingers because I don't want to have a problem with the chemicals on your fingers causing rust and I very carefully get lubrication back on the spring as fast as possible just to avoid these unpleasant situations. Then yes it is interesting one minute you of functional spring and the next minute you have lots of little pieces of spring. For my own personal Elgin pocket watch I put a steel spring and in this happened I'm also guessing that when one layer breaks it sends a cascading shockwave through the spring and that's why it breaks all the way across because after all there is a lot of energy in the spring when it breaks. Oh and my theory on the metallurgy is based on things have improved and for the most part I don't think I've seen a shattered spring in quite some time.   Elgin_Mainsprings.PDF
    • Paul80
      Looking for Pocket watch to wrist watch conversion cases

      By Paul80 · Posted

      Hi all A bit of an off chance one but has anyone got any links to suppliers of Conversion cases, to adapt pocket watch movements to wrist watches. I have a couple of movements and bring in the UK there is little chance of finding a replacement case so thought about converting them to wrist watches, I have seen loads of converted watches for sale so there must be a supplier somewhere, anyone know of a supplier. Thanks Paul
    • dnhb
      Broken anchor pallet

      By dnhb · Posted

      Thank you very much. I routinely harvest these strips so will be able to attempt a repair - much more interesting & potentially satisfying than acquiring a new replacement item.
    • JohnR725
      1950s Seiko Marvel Balance Staff

      By JohnR725 · Posted

      Have you ever noticed in the parts list that the hairspring is not available separately? At least typically not available separately. The reason for that is every single hairspring for the most part was specifically vibrated for the balance wheel it is on. So as you can see moving a hairspring from one balance wheel to another does not necessarily work but 15 minutes is definitely manageable If? I see the balance wheel has screws? Providing there really screws in other words you could unscrew them then there is a solution to the problem providing they hairspring actually does fit perfectly in the regulators where it's supposed to be etc. for balance wheels that are running too fast that have screws timing washers can be purchased? Okay the much harder to find than the used to be look on eBay typically a find assortments should be easier for wristwatch size versus pocket watch size. The washers go on as pairs one on each side you do not want to have two washers per screw you ideally want to only have one washer. Typically at least the ones I use are rated in one, two and three minutes per day but despite having a this works for the size it's not an exact you have to try them. Than ours with a few timing washers you could slow this thing down here is an image I found online to show you what it looks like. So basically is unscrew your screw but that little tiny washer on and struck back in again and try not to break the screw head off. Lot of time screws it up and played with before the screws do not like the unscrew and will break off that is very undesirable. Oh and if you would like to get a new skill set you could conceivably find a new collet for your old hairspring carefully unpin it and re-pin it. But that kinda hairspring manipulation is not easy but it could be done.  
×
×
  • Create New...